PT1597162E - Container for fluid substances like pastes or creams - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to create a container for substances capable of flowing, such as pastes or lotions, which allows, extremely simple and rapid fashion, the outflow of the substance capable of flowing contained therein and that at the same time also allows to be completely emptied of its content.

Description

1

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a container for liquid materials such as pastes or creams. The invention relates to a container for fluid materials, such as pastes or creams, i.e. materials which take the shape of the containers containing them, which however have a volume of their own, according to the main concept of Claim 1 .

An example of such containers are tubes for toothpastes, beauty creams, make-up creams or body creams, as well as tubes for medicines and ointments. Also included are food tubes such as mustard or mayonnaise, for industrial purpose pastes, for gels such as lard.

When a person wants to remove a paste or a cream from the container, he removes the locking element and presses the hollow deformable body. In this way the paste or cream contained therein is placed under pressure and forced out through the inlet and outlet aperture.

This known type of container presents disadvantages, however, because the delivery of the paste or the cream is very difficult, especially when a large part of the paste or cream has already left due to previous uses. In this case, it is necessary to carefully press the entire outer surface of the tube, starting from the lower end and then progressively upwards, to the inlet and outlet, so that the remainder of the paste or cream residues are carried in their entirety to the region of the hollow body near the inlet and outlet channel.

A further disadvantage of this type of known container is constituted by the fact that on the internal walls of the hollow body and in the region near the inlet and outlet channel of the hollow body, residues of the paste or of the cream necessarily remain, which can not in any way be removed . It is therefore not possible to completely empty the hollow body and the entire paste or cream contained in the container can not be used. This circumstance, especially when it comes to expensive pastes or creams of the highest quality, such as those for beauty, health or body treatments, produces a non-supportable waste.

From US 2002/0148854 A1 there is known a container according to the main concept of Claim 1, which provides a pushing member installed in its hollow body. During its forward movement along the hollow body, the projected actuating member prevents the fluid material from dispersing and leading it forward towards the inlet and outlet channel, while preventing part of the hollow body behind it, remain residues from the rest of the fluid material.

This known container, however, has the disadvantage that the pusher member can not be closed because the remainder of the paste or cream residue is wedged between the inner walls of the hollow body and the upper surface of the pusher member as soon as they remain very close together. On the basis of this container known in the present invention the object of the invention is to improve such a container in such a way that it is possible in a particularly quick and easy way to exit the fluid material contained therein and also to completely empty its contents . This object is achieved by means of a container, which has the features of Claim 1.

The channels provided according to the invention prevent residues of the paste or cream between the inner walls of the hollow body and the upper surface of the pusher member in the end section of the sliding path of the pusher. In this way also the last residues arrive and accumulate in the opening of entrance and exit.

Further advantages and peculiarities of the invention are described in more detail below, based on examples of embodiments and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings. These show:

Figures 1a and 1b each are a first and a second longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the container according to the invention with respect to a first example of a pushing member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are displaced by 90Â ° in relation to the other and refer to different moments,

Figures 1c, 1d and 1e are respectively a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 1a and 1b,

Figures 2a and 2b are each a first and a second longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a second example of a pusher, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset in relation to the other about 90 ° and refer to different moments,

Figures 2c, 2d and 2e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 2a and 2b,

Figures 3a and 3b, each a first and a second longitudinal section of a third embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a third example of a pushing member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are moved about of 90 ° relative to each other and refer to different times,

Figures 3c, 3d and 3e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 3a and 3b,

Figures 4a and 4b, each of which are first and second longitudinal cuts of a fourth embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a fourth example of a pushing member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset one in relative to the other about 90 ° and refer to different times,

Figures 4c, 4d and 4e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 4a and 4b,

Figures 5a and 5b, each of which are first and second longitudinal cuts of a fifth embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a fifth example of a pusher member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset about 90 ° relative to each other and refer to different moments,

Figures 5c, 5d and 5e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 5a and 5b,

Figures 6a and 6b, each of which are first and second longitudinal cross-sections of a sixth embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a sixth delivery member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset one relative to the other; another about 90 ° and refer to different times,

Figures 6c, 6d and 6e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 6a and 6b,

Figures 7a and 7b, each a first and second longitudinal cuts of a seventh embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a seventh example of a pushing organ, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset about 90 ° relative to one another and refer to different moments,

Figures 7c, 7d and 7e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 7a and 7b,

Figures 8a and 8b each comprise first and second longitudinal cuts of an eighth embodiment of the container according to the invention with respect to an eighth example of a pushing member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset about of 90 ° relative to each other and refer to different moments,

Figures 8c, 8d and 8e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 8a and 8b,

Figures 9a and 9b each are first and second longitudinal cross-sections of a ninth embodiment of a container according to the invention with respect to a ninth example of a pusher member, wherein the longitudinal cuts are offset about of 90 ° relative to each other and refer to different moments,

Figures 9c, 9d and 9e, respectively, are a plan view and first and second isolated side views of the drive member shown in Figures 9a and 9b.

In the Figures schematically there is shown a container for fluid materials 2, such as pastes or creams, i.e. materials which take the form of the container containing them, but which nevertheless have a volume of their own.

Such a container may for example be a tube for toothpaste, beauty creams, cleaning creams or creams intended for the treatment of the body, as well as a tube for medicaments or for ointments. Also included are food tubes, 7 such as mustard or mayonnaise, industrial pastes and jellies such as lard.

As can be seen from the Figures, the container comprises a deformable hollow body 1, in which is the paste or the cream 2. The hollow body 1 is provided with an inlet and outlet channel 3, at the end of which is provided an opening of inlet and outlet 4. The container further comprises a closure element 5. The closure element 5 may be connected to the inlet and outlet channel 3 in order to prevent the exiting of the paste or the cream out through the opening 4. According to the invention the container also comprises a pusher member 6, which is so installed within the hollow body 1 that the paste or the cream 2 lies in the void space between the opening inlet and outlet 4 and the pusher member 6. This is achieved by the fact that the pusher member 6 is disposed at one end of the hollow body 1, which is opposite to that which has the inlet and outlet opening 4. The dispensing member 6 is installed without connection to the hollow body 1 and is therefore able to slide under an external thrust action exerted by the fingers of a person on the hollow body 1.

In this way the paste or cream 2 is pushed by the pushing member 6 towards the inlet and outlet opening 4.

Advantageously, the thrusting member 6 consists of several parts, an upper part 6a, an intermediate part 6b and a lower part 6c. The upper piece 6a is in contact with the paste or cream 2 resting on it and has a maximum perpendicular cut, which is equal to that of the hollow body 1. This upper piece 6a causes the paste or cream 2 to be pushed and supplied . The intermediate piece 6b has a perpendicular cut which is of equal size to that of the hollow body 1 and has, formed on its upper surface, an annular sealing collar 7. This annular sealing collar 7 is suitable for, during sliding of the organ 6, sealing the inner surface of the hollow body 1 and preventing during the sliding of the pusher member 6 from remaining in the hollow part underlying the hollow space 1 and at the lower end of the container residues of the paste or cream 2. The bottom piece 6c is exposed to the external pressing action, which causes the drive member to move forward from its starting position, which is located opposite the inlet and outlet channel 3, to its terminal position, the inlet and outlet channel 23. The action performed by the user is in the forward direction when the lower part 6c is made of a flexible elastic material. For this purpose a material can be provided which is naturally flexible and elastic. Alternatively, a hollow body or a casing filled with a fluid may be installed.

According to the invention small open channels 9 are projected from the upper part 6a. Thus it is ruled out that residues of the slurry or cream 29 are retained when, in the final section of the sliding path of the pusher member 6, the upper surface of the upper part 6a and the inner walls of the hollow body 1 are very close together. The existence of the channels 9 on the upper surface of the upper part 6a is therefore important because they guarantee here, if necessary, the accumulation of the paste or cream residues 2 in the inlet and outlet channel 3, from which in any case can be removed.

The positions which the pushing member 6 takes are shown in the drawings. In each of the drawings sheets two figures are placed, which relate to a longitudinal cut displaced about 90 ° from the container according to the invention. The perpendicular cuts are designed with reference to different moments, so that the pushing member 6 is not only represented in different points of view, due to the displacement of about 90 °, but also in different positions.

In the first longitudinal cut, placed on the left side of the pattern sheets and referenced by the letter a, the pushing member 6 is shown in its starting position, while in the second longitudinal cut, placed on the right side of the pattern sheets and referenced with the letter b, the pushing member 6 is shown in its end position. In this second longitudinal cut the pushing member 6 is also indicated dashed in its starting position. 10

In a similar manner there is also shown the modification of the shape of the hollow body 1, which occurs during the sliding of the pushing member 6. In the first longitudinal section, placed on the left side of the drawing sheets and indicated with the letter a, the organ is shown in phantom in yet another significant position, from which it is taken by it during its intermediate slide inside the hollow body 1. This is in this case a position which the pushing member 6 takes shortly before a projection 10 provided in the upper part 6a to conveniently penetrate into the inlet and outlet channel 3.

This protrusion 10 penetrates the end section of the sliding path of the pusher member 6 in the inlet and outlet channel 3 and serves for any possible residues of the paste or cream 2 to be blown out and to completely empty the inlet channel and exit 3.

The last residues of the paste or cream 2 accumulate, namely in the inlet and outlet channel 3. They reach the inlet and outlet channel 3 as they run through the small open channels 9, which also traverse the upper surface of the flange 10. A existence of such channels 9 prevents the overhang 10 completely covers the inlet and outlet channel 3 and that residues of the paste or cream 2 are retained between the inner walls of the hollow body 1 and the upper surface of the upper part 6a of the pushing member 6.

As the pushing member 6 approaches the inlet and outlet channel 3, the smaller the space available for the waste of the paste or the cream 2. If there were no channels 9, the paste or the cream 2 would be retained soon that the protrusion 10 penetrates into the inlet and outlet channel 3. The shape of the various parts 6a, 6b and 6c constituting the pushing member 6 also depends on the type of tube, especially its perpendicular cut.

In the sheets of drawings there are shown a total of nine possible different examples, which refer to tubes with round perpendicular cut (sheets of drawings 1 / 9-3 / 9), with quadrangular perpendicular cut (sheets of drawings 4 / 9-6 / 9) and with elliptical perpendicular cut (sheets of drawings 7 / 9-9 / 9). This is given by way of example only and does not exclude from the scope of protection tubes with another perpendicular cut, such as for example with rectangular or triangular perpendicular cuts or the like. The first example of a thrust member 6 according to the invention can be seen in Figures 1c-1e. The upper part 6a is in the shape of a truncated cone with a round perpendicular cut and is provided with a protrusion 10. The intermediate piece 6b is in the form of a cylinder with a round perpendicular cut and the collar 7, while the part 6c has an irregular shape. The irregular shape of the lower part 6c is one which, as can be seen in figure 1c, results from that lower part terminating with an approximately elongate, nearly elongate, almost rectangular, cross-section to which the upper part is attached with a round perpendicular cut. The second example of a pusher member 6 according to the invention can be seen in Figures 2c-2e. The upper part 6a and the intermediate part 6b are each similar to those of said first example. As can be seen in the

Figures 2c and 2e, the lower part 6c results here in a lower part 6c, like that of the first example above, from which material is withdrawn to constitute a cavity 8. This formed cavity 8 is determined so as to receive the thumb of the and facilitate the exercise of the external impulse action. The third example of a thrust member 6 according to the invention is particularly visible in Figures 3c-3e. The upper part 6a is in the shape of a truncated cone with a round perpendicular cut and is provided with the protrusion 10, while the intermediate piece 6b is in the form of a cylinder with a rounded perpendicular cut and with the collar 7. however, the shape of a half-sphere, so that, thanks to the symmetry of that part, the external thrusting action which is performed by the user's hand can occur in any position, while in other cases, in the case of the existence of the formed cavity 8, occurs in a preferred direction. In the following, a fourth, a fifth and a sixth examples of a thrusting organ 6 according to the invention are described in more detail with reference to a tube with a quadrangular perpendicular section. The fourth example of a thrust member 6 according to the invention can be seen especially in Figures 4c-4e. The upper part 6a is in the form of a truncated cone with a quadrangular perpendicular cut and is provided with the protrusion 10. In this example the intermediate piece 6b is in the form of a parallelepiped with a quadrangular perpendicular cut and the collar 7, while the lower part 6c has an irregular shape. The irregular shape of the lower part 6c is one which, as can be seen especially in Figure 4c, results from the fact that the almost rectangular perpendicular cut of that substantially elliptical approximately elliptical shaped lower part attaches to that upper part with a perpendicular cut quadrangular. The fifth example of a thrust member 6 according to the invention can be seen especially in Figures 5c-5e. The upper part 6a and the intermediate part 6b are similar to those of the aforementioned fourth example. As can be seen in Figures 5c and 5e, the lower part 6c results from a lower part 6c similar to that of the fourth example mentioned above, material is withdrawn in order to form a formed cavity. This formed cavity 8 is intended to receive the thumb from the user's hand in order to facilitate the execution of the external pushing action. The sixth example of a thrust member 6 according to the invention can be seen particularly in Figures 6c-6e. Also for this example the upper part 6a is in the form of a frustoconical with a quadrangular cross-section and is provided with the protrusion 10, while the intermediate part 6b is in the form of a parallelepiped with a quadrangular perpendicular cut and the collar 7. The lower part 6c shows, however, the shape of a half-sphere, so that thanks to the symmetry of that part, the external thrust action which is produced by the hand of the user can be verified in any position, whereas in the in the case of the existence of the formed cavity 8, occurs in a preferred direction.

A seventh, eighth and a ninth examples of a drive member 6 according to the invention are now described in more detail with reference to a tube with an elliptical perpendicular section. The seventh example of a drive member 6 according to the invention can be seen particularly in Figures 1c-1e. The upper part 6a is in the shape of a cone trunk with an elliptical perpendicular cut and is provided with the protrusion 10. In this example the intermediate piece 6b is in the form of a cylinder with an elliptical perpendicular cut and with the collar 7, while that the lower part 6c has an irregular shape. The irregular shape of the lower part 6c is one which, as can be seen especially in Figure 1c, is produced by the connection of that lower part, which has an approximately elliptical shape, very flat, with a nearly rectangular perpendicular cut to that upper part with an elliptical perpendicular cut. The eighth example of a drive member 6 according to the invention can be seen particularly in Figures 8c-8e. The upper part 6a and the intermediate part 6b are similar to those of the seventh example mentioned above. As can be seen in Figures 8c and 8e, the lower part 6c is produced when material is withdrawn from a lower part 6c, such as that of the seventh example mentioned above, in order to produce a formed cavity 8. This formed cavity 8 is designed, is adapted to receive the thumb 15 from the user's hand and facilitates the application of the external thrust action. The ninth example of a pusher member 6 according to the invention may be particularly seen in Figures 9c-9e. Also for this example, the upper part 6a is in the form of a cone trunk with an elliptical perpendicular section and is provided with the protrusion 10, while the intermediate piece 6b is in the form of a cylinder with a perpendicular elliptical section and the collar 7. The lower part 6c, however, has the shape of a semi-ellipsoid so that, thanks to the symmetry of this part, the external impulse action exerted by the user's hand can occur in any position, while in other cases , such as when the formed cavity 8 exists, is performed in a preferred direction. The way of actuating the container according to the invention is very simple. The user removes the closure element. It then presses the deformable hollow body 1 in the region on the pushing member 6 with the fingers of the hand, which is easy to locate by the touch. The pressing action, which is exerted by the fingers of the hand, in turn causes a pushing action on the pushing member 6 underlying them, especially on the lower part 6c. Due to this the pushing member 6 slides along a certain path towards the inlet and outlet channel 3. The upper part 6a pushes the paste or the cream 2 and places it under pressure, while the intermediate part 6b , with the aid of the collar 7, prevents the paste or the cream 2 from entering the hollow area of the hollow body 1, located behind the pushing member 6.

As the inlet and outlet opening 4 is open, a portion of the paste or the cream 2 exits from the hollow body 1. The user will press for the time necessary to leave the desired amount of the paste or the cream 2, it no longer presses and closes the container, to which the locking element 5 is again placed.

When, after various uses, the pusher member 6 is in the end section of its slide path, close to the inlet and outlet channel 3 and the paste or cream 2 is in the inlet and outlet channel 3 or in the the user of the container according to the invention does not need to take any further steps to remove the residues from the paste or cream 2.

This is achieved by repeatedly pushing on the hollow body 1 and the thrusting member 6 until it reaches its final position. Under pressure, the paste or cream 2 is introduced in the end and in particular into the channels 9 and flows into the inlet and outlet channel 3. The pushing action of the overhang 10 will then ensure that all the waste is expelled .

Lisbon, 9 March 2007

Claims (13)

A container for fluid materials (2) such as pastes or creams, i.e., materials which take the form of containers which receive them but which nevertheless have their own volume, comprising: a deformable hollow body (1), in which the fluid material 2 is disposed and which has an inlet and outlet channel 3, at the end of which there is provided an inlet and outlet opening 4 and a closure element 5, which is connected to the inlet and outlet channel (3), designed to prevent the flowing material (2) from escaping and a pusher member (6) inside the hollow body (1) without being connected thereto and is there positioned so that it can slide by means of a pushing action exerted from the outside, being so installed in the hollow body (1), that the fluid material (2) lies in the space between it and the opening of (4), whereby the pusher member (6) has an upper part (6a), which is in contact with the fluid material (2) superimposed thereon and having a maximum perpendicular cut, which is equal to that of the hollow body (1) and a lower part (6c), which is displaced by the external pushing action, characterized by on the upper surface of the upper part (6a) there are provided small open channels (9) through which the fluid material (2) can run. 2 Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (6a) has, in the direction of the inlet and outlet opening (4), a projection (10) which, upon reaching the terminal section of the (6) is so introduced into the inlet and outlet opening (4) that any possible residue of the fluid material (2) therein is pushed outwards and that the small parts channels 9 also extend through the upper surface of the flange 10, whereby the fluid material 2 that infiltrates therein can run into the inlet and outlet channel 3. Container according to Claim 1, characterized in that the drive member (6) also has an intermediate part (6b), the perpendicular cut is uniform and equal to that of the hollow body (1), wherein on the the outer surface of the intermediate piece 6b is provided with a collar 7, which is suitable for sealing the inner surface of the hollow body 1 during the sliding of the pusher member 6. Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part (6a) is in the shape of a cone trunk with a round perpendicular cut, the intermediate part (6b) is in the form of a cylinder with a perpendicular section round and the lower part (6c) has an irregular shape, which results from that lower part with an approximately elliptical, almost flat, almost quadrangular perpendicular cut connecting to that proximal upper part with a round perpendicular cut. 3 Container according to Claim 3, characterized in that material is withdrawn from the lower part (6c) in order to construct a formed cavity (8). Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part (6a) is in the shape of a cone trunk with a round perpendicular cut, the intermediate part (6b) is in the form of a cylinder with a perpendicular section round and the lower part (6c) has the shape of a half-sphere. Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part (6a) is in the form of a frustoconical with a quadrangular cross-section, the intermediate part (6b) is in the shape of a parallelepiped with a perpendicular section and the lower part (6c) has an irregular shape, which results from the joining of said lower part with an approximately elliptical, almost flat, almost rectangular cross-section to said proximal upper part with a quadrangular perpendicular cut. Container according to Claim 6, characterized in that material is withdrawn to the lower part (6c) in order to construct a formed cavity (8). Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part (6a) is in the form of a frustoconical with a quadrangular perpendicular section, the intermediate part (6b) is in the form of a parallelepiped with a perpendicular section and the lower part (6c) has the shape of a half-sphere. 4 Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part (6a) is in the shape of a cone trunk with an elliptical perpendicular section, the intermediate part (6b) is in the form of a cylinder with a cut and the lower part (6c) has an irregular shape, which is produced by connecting that lower part with an approximately elliptical, almost rectangular, almost elliptical cross-section to the proximal upper part with a perpendicular elliptical section. Container according to Claim 9, characterized in that material is withdrawn from the lower part (6c) in order to form a formed cavity (8). Container according to Claim 2, characterized in that the upper part (6a) is in the shape of a frustoconical, the intermediate part (6b) is in the form of a cylinder with an elliptical perpendicular section and the lower part (6c) has the shape of a semi-ellipsoid. Container according to one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower part (6c) is made of a flexible elastic material. Lisbon, 9 March 2007